Asthma – A Disease of The Respiratory System

Our Respiratory System keeps us alive

Subconsciously we do it hundreds of times every day. And that is a good thing, because our respiratory system keeps us thereby alive. The number of breaths we take range from 12 to 16 breaths per minute. Unfortunately, we only recognize the outstanding masterstroke of our respiratory system, when it becomes affected by diseases and stops working properly. Diseases affecting the respiratory system fall into three categories: viruses, allergies and chronic diseases.

Asthma is one of the most common chronic lung diseases that inflames the airways and thus, causes severe breathing problems. Approximately 300 million people around the world suffer from asthma and more than 25 million of them are known to live in the United States.

Allergies and asthma often go hand-in-hand. According to the American Academy of Allergy, Asthma and Immunology half of America’s asthma patients have allergic asthma, which is triggered by the same substances that may also trigger your hay fever. When you want to read more about allergies, then please follow the link:

What causes Asthma?
According to the National Heart Lung and Blood Institute asthma stems from certain genetic and environmental factors occurring in early childhood:
○ An inherited tendency to develop allergies (called atopy)
○ Parents who suffer from asthma
○ Respiratory infections during childhood
○ Contact with allergens in early life when the immune system is still developing
○ Exposure to irritants like tobacco smoke

Apart from that, researchers at Duke University Medical Centre strongly believe in the “hygiene hypothesis”. They argue that our Western lifestyle – with its emphasis on hygiene and sanitation - prevents a child’s immune system to develop fully as it is no longer exposed to infections and environment as were children in the past. Hence, the changes in our living conditions and an overall decline in infection in early childhood may increase the risk for developing asthma or atopy.

How can you treat Asthma?

Unfortunately, asthma is a long-term disease that has no conventional cure. In general, asthma is treated with two different types of treatments: Firstly, long-term control is applied in order to reduce inflammation and prevent asthma symptoms from recurring. Secondly, quick-relief medication is used to relieve existing symptoms.

Balance Health can complement your medical asthma action plan with alternative medicine. Homeopathy, acupuncture and Chinese medicine may help you in preventing troublesome symptoms and in maintaining a good lung function.

What causes Asthma symptoms to occur?

The persistently inflamed airways cause recurring periods of coughing, wheezing, chest tightness or shortness of breath. Many factors can trigger or worsen your asthma symptoms. Depending on each individual, triggers may include:

○ Physical exercise
○ Infections such as colds
○ Certain sulfites in foods and drinks
○ Allergens from pollen, animal fur, cockroaches, or mold
○ Irritants such as cigarette smoke, air pollution, or chemicals
○ Medications like aspirin or other anti-inflammatory drugs and nonselective beta-blockers

Homeopathy

Homeopathy dates back about 200 years ago when it was first invented in Germany. It is a system of traditional medicine which addresses the whole person: the physical, the mental and the emotional. It treats each patient individually with highly diluted natural substances with the aim of triggering the body’s natural self-healing abilities. Homeopathy not only restores the balance of your prevailing health condition, but also heals the underlying mental or emotional toll you might be suffering from.

A double-blinded, placebo-controlled study from the University of Glasgow, Europe’s largest medical school, showed that over 80 percent of the 24 asthma patients improved significantly after they were given homeopathic remedies.

How does a homeopathy consultation at Balance Health look like?
The first treatment with our homeopath Martin Mailaender is built up as follows:

Acupuncture & Chinese Medicine

Acupuncture can have a remarkable effect in relieving acute asthma symptoms. Many patients experience immediate relief and improvement after their first treatment, feeling that their airway blockage simply disappeared. Acupuncture helps to release naturally tensioned muscles and blockades without side-effects that are very common with conventional treatment methods such as inhalers. Acupuncture points for “calming the spirit” are widely used as the stimulation of those help to relax the parasympathetic nervous system and to relieve both physical and emotional stress. In combination with Chinese medicine, herbs can strengthen your lungs and immune system and reduces the likelihood of a return of an upcoming asthma attack. In total, patients not only experience a physical release from bronchial spasms, but also an emotional release from the fear of suffocation.

According to the British Acupuncture Council acupuncture is beneficial because of the following:
○ Reduces patient’s use of medication
○ Reduces inflammation
○ Improves patient’s subjective experience of their symptoms
○ Improves immunological parameters

The Yuen Method

The Yuen Method has its roots in ancient Chinese Shaolin temples and outshines by its simplicity as it can be applied anywhere and anytime without the necessity to physically touch the patient. More than half of our patients have never been physically present as a Skype or Facetime call is absolutely sufficient. It is an energetic principle that looks at the human experience in its core components of body, mind and spirit. It believes that you are either ”strong or weak” to any given subject matter, person or situation. The aim of the Yuen Method is to find this weakness, strengthen it and finally delete it.

Our practitioner Victor Geronimo works to make sure that all levels of consciousness are harmonious. It works to remove energy blockages and help you to overcome any given problem - even your long lasting asthma.

“Breath is the bridge which connects life to consciousness, which unites your body to your thoughts."
– Thích Nhất Hạnh

What are early signs of an upcoming asthma attack?

Warning signs happen just before or at the very beginning of an attack:
○ Frequent cough
○ Constant fatigue and weakness
○ Wheezing or coughing after exercise
○ Signs of a cold or allergies
○ Sleeping problems

CONTACT US

We are happy to answer your questions

Why Balance Health?

We are your health oasis in the middle of busy Hong Kong - a place where we can support your and your family’s journey to a healthier and happier life.

Our mission is to connect you with practitioners offering treatments tailored to your individual wishes and needs.